Abstract: Athletic shoes, especially soccer shoes are known comprising a tread sole of rubber or another material having rubber-elastic properties, which sole is provided at least partially with nubs uniformly distributed over the tread and forming a unit with the tread sole, the longitudinal axes of these nubs being aligned obliquely with respect to the sole surface. In order to broaden the area of usage of such athletic shoes, especially to render such athletic shoes suitable for sports on artificial grass or on hard courts, the obliquely oriented nubs are arranged exclusively in the areas of the ball of the foot, the ankle joint, and the heel along the rim of the sole as the outermost nub row or as external nub rows. The nubs located in the marginal zone of the tip of the sole are arranged with their longitudinal axes at least almost perpendicular with respect to the sole tread and exhibit a lower profile height than the obliquely oriented nubs.

Abstract: Athletic shoes, particularly tennis shoes, are known which are provided with an ankle support in the zone of the arch of the foot (plantar arch) between the ball and the heel. In many such athletic shoes with ankle joint supports, the tread sole is fashioned with a corresponding constriction in the ankle region so that the inner ankle support is not shored up in the direction of the tread surface. To prevent such athletic shoes from buckling or bending flexurally in the ankle zone under high stresses, or even "break through", several discrete supporting profiles of varying heights are provided at the tread sole, the enveloping line of which on the free ends of these supporting profiles on the tread side lies at least approximately in the plane of the adjoining tread sole parts.

Abstract: Outsole for a shoe including a first sole component molded of a relatively dense natural or synthetic rubber composition and having a cut-out shank region and a second sole component of a relatively less dense organic plastic material filling the cut-out shank region of the first sole component.

Abstract: An athletic shoe particularly adapted for use in sports where sudden turns, starts, stops and lateral movements are involved, in which the sole 14 includes a lengthwise concavity 46 for gripping action; the medial aspect 54 of the sole is linear and rouned off from about the first metatarsal extension up to and including the heel; the sole includes a two-tiered construction from the first metatarsal phalangal joint to distal at 58 to the fifth metatarsal head at 60 so a lowered area at 64 casts the user's weight forwardly to assist in sudden starts; the lateral edge 52 of the sole comprises a projecting wing 90 from the generally vertical side of the shoe; the heel is flared on the lateral edge and a projecting wing 72 is provided from behind the fifth metatarsal to just below the malleolus and around the heel to meet the aforementioned medial wing; and the posterior aspect of the sole is beveled; the shoe having a wrapped around construction on the exterior affording support for the user's foot.

Abstract: An outsole for an athletic shoe features an integrally molded sole unit having outwardly extending receptacles located in the ball and heel area, and replaceable wear plugs mounted in the receptacles.

Abstract: Curved last soles for athletic shoes are disclosed, including one embodiment wherein cleats are arranged with gripping edges in the arch and heel that are perpendicular to the longitudinal axis passing therethrough, whereas in the toe cleats are arranged with gripping edges that are aligned in rows that are perpendicular to a line generally defining the direction of travel while the athlete abducts his or her feet during the propulsion phase of running. Cleats in the ball portion of the sole fan out to provide a smooth transition from the cleats in the arch to the cleats in the toe.In a second embodiment the cleats are disposed throughout the sole in rows which maintain a perpendicular relationship relative to the longitudinal axis of the heel, but the orientation of the gripping edges of the cleats in the toe and ball portions are varied in such manner as to compensate for the aforementioned abducting effect.

Abstract: An athletic shoe is provided with an open-toe to facilitate cooling of the wearers' foot during running. The tongue of the shoe is attached to one side edge of the shoe.

Abstract: A sports running shoe constructed to minimize impact shock and to maximize lateral stability. The shoe's midsole is formed with a medial layer portion having one overall firmness, and a lateral layer portion having a lesser overall firmness.

Abstract: A running shoe having an outer sole and a midsole. The midsole comprises a forefoot portion, an arch portion and a heel portion all formed of a resilient material having a first durometer sufficiently low to provide good cushioning and impact absorption. Rear foot stabilization means in the form of a mass of resilient material is located and confined within the midsole adjacent the medial side of the heel portion. The durometer of the stabilization means is higher than the durometer of the midsole to provide resistance to compression at the medial side of the heel portion, thereby lessening the tendency of the shoe to overpronation. In one embodiment, the stabilization means comprises plural plugs confined fully within the midsole. In another embodiment, the stabilization means extend through the outsole and into the insole.

Abstract: A track shoe is described having a cushion member of resilient elastomer material secured to the bottom surface of its spike plate beneath the metatarsal bones of the wearer's foot. The cushion member is positioned behind and separate from the rearmost spikes on such spike plate. Such cushion member has an average width longitudinally of the shoe greater than its thickness. The cushion member absorbs shock, helps runners stay on their toes by preventing "rock-back" onto the heel of the shoe, and aids in foot stability during landing.

Abstract: An improved athletic shoe in which the solepiece has a wedge to facilitate supporting the runner's foot when contacting the ground; the toe box section being provided with pleats to allow expansion for toe movement when the foot flexes; the solepiece is provided with a flexure break segment of reduced thickness following the phalangal-metatarsal joint line of action of the human foot to permit differential flexure of the solepiece in a manner following such lines of action; and the heel part of the solepiece is rounded for optimizing initial and following ground foot contact.

Abstract: A shoe sole structure is provided with an upper surface adapted to receive and support the entire foot of the wearer, the sole structure being resilient throughout the full length of its under surface, having a toe portion forwardly of the metatarsal arch region which is easily bendable, but having a relatively stiff and rigid upper surface from the metatarsal region rearwardly to the heel. The sole structure has an elevated central pedestal under the instep region and a separate impact pad underneath the heel, the heel impact pad being very resilient while the central pedestal has limited resiliency. In a running action the heel impact pad absorbs an initial impact with the ground, the central pedestal then provides a rolling support for the entire foot, and finally the bending of the toe portion of the sole structure provides an effective and well-controlled take-off.

Abstract: A lateral traction device is provided for use in combination with shoes. The device employes a traction surface, adapted to be mounted to at least one side of the shoe for enabling gripping of a surface when the shoe is rotated about a horizontal axis.

Abstract: An improved protective shoe. The shoe may be an industrial or athletic shoe. A protective cover overlies the toe and instep and is at least partially removeable from the shoe itself. The protective cover has an outer flexible sheet and an inner energy-absorbing layer. A particular improvement lies in providing a flap overlying the shoelaces, with a pair of openable flap closure means on each side of the flap so as to provide an unbroken cushioned surface over the very vulnerable high point of the shoe.

Abstract: A general purpose athletic shoe is described in which an outer sole is provided with integrally molded cleats of two different types. The cleats of the first type are disposed around the periphery of the sole and the cleats of the second type are primarily disposed in the remaining portions of the sole. The second cleats are generally conical in shape and extend outwardly from the sole to about half the height of the first cleats. Each of the first cleats has three surfaces extending outward from a major exterior surface of the outer sole to a flat crown which is parallel to the major exterior surface. Two of the three outwardly extending surfaces of each of the first cleats take the form of essentially flat surfaces oriented generally perpendicular to the major exterior surface and the remaining outwardly extending surface is a partial conical surface which tapers so that first cleats are widest at their junction with the outer sole and narrowest at the crown.

Abstract: An athletic shoe having an upper with a counter forming a heel cup carried above a sole having an outsole, midsole and heel wedge. A support band is formed integral about the upper rim of the midsole and is secured about the sidewalls of the heel cup for supporting and stabilizing the heel cup relative to the sole when the shoe contacts the running surface.

Abstract: An athletic shoe which has a light-weight and readily flexible sole construction including shock absorbing portions in the heel and forefoot areas of the sole having different shock absorbing porperties with the shock absorbing portion in the heel area having a shock absorbing property greater than that in the forefoot area. Flexible nubs are included on the sole for traction and cushioning purposes where the spacing between nubs in heavy load bearing areas of the sole is less than the spacing between nubs in light load bearing areas of the sole. The nubs are positioned to facilitate flexing of the sole along normal breaklines corresponding to the joints of the foot of a wearer. The heel portion of the sole may include a cut out forming in part a vertically extending deflection rib surrounding a shock absorbing portion to further enhance shock absorbing, cushioning and propulsion properties.

Abstract: A sports shoe has an extension to the sole of the shoe projecting rearwardly at the heel end, which extension is springily resilient or can be supported by resilient means on the shoe. A stiffener, for example, a metal plate can be provided to enable the resilience of the extension to be controlled. Also a separate interchangeable spring member can be provided to control the resilience of the projection.

Abstract: A counter for footwear, such as athletic shoes mounted on the sole of the footwear within the region of the heel and superposed on the lasted upper to extend toward the instep. The counter has a body contoured to extend around the heel and along the sides of the footwear and tapers from a maximum height at the heel toward the sole. The counter is formed of a stiff, relatively unyielding material. The medial side extends to the instep and together with the material of the body encourages normal range of motion to reduce running related injury.

Abstract: A shoe having a heel restraint secured by an adjustable and flexible closure assembly utilizing separable fastening members having coacting, flexible gripping elements, such as hook and loop fastening means and operating separately from the fastening means to fasten the shoe. The closure assembly includes an anchor strap having an opening adapted to receive a fastener strap which makes it easy to adjust for and maintain the precise tension desired at the wearer's heel by providing a sturdy, adjustable heel restraint and stabilizer to independently control the tension on the heel section of the shoe.

Abstract: Footwear, such as a running shoe, comprising a sole and an upper, the sole having heel, arch and forefoot sections, and medial and lateral sides. The sole is so formed that when it is unstressed and disposed on a generally flat horizontal surface the upper foot-supporting surfaces of the heel and arch sections are inclined generally downwardly from the medial to the lateral side of the sole. The arch section at the medial side of the sole is constructed for supporting the bottom of the arch of the foot at a predetermined elevation in relation to the heel and forward part of the foot. The arch section is compressible at its medial side no more than a predetermined distance on impact of the shoe during running.

Abstract: A jogging shoe has an adjustable shock absorbing system for the heel impact surface in the form of an inflatable air chamber with downwardly extending pump-like pegs and the hollow cavity interiors in communication with the air chamber. When the jogging shoe impacts against the running surface, the pegs depress, compressing air contained in their cavities into the air chamber which distributes the impact force across the entire sole of the shoe. After the pegs depress, the air chamber can also partially compress to absorb the remainder of the force. Thus a two-step shock absorption and distribution system is provided.

Abstract: A sole for running shoes which utilizes detachable tread elements. The main sole contains perforations consistent with the pattern and number of tread elements. Integral with the elements are shafts which fit into the perforations. This arrangement allows the user to replace worn treads and this greatly extends the usable life of the shoe.

Abstract: An improved athletic shoe in which the solepiece has a wedge to facilitate supporting the runner's foot when contacting the ground; the toe box section being provided with pleats to allow expansion for toe movement when the foot flexes; the solepiece is provided with a flexure break segment of reduced thickness following the phalangal-metatarsal joint line of action of the human foot to permit differential flexure of the solepiece in a manner following such lines of action; and the heel part of the solepiece is rounded for optimizing initial and following ground foot contact.

Abstract: The invention concerns an article of footwear comprising a footwear upper attached to a footwear base, said footwear base comprising a sole part and a heel part, said heel part having an upper surface on which the weight of a person's foot will press and a lower surface adapted to contact the ground, the area of the lower surface being greater than the area of the upper surface, said lower surface extending outside vertical planes passing through the upper surface at the periphery of the upper surface on both sides of the heel part and behind the heel part, and a peripheral ridge extending upwardly from the surface on which the weight of a person's foot will press, said peripheral ridge flaring outwardly on both sides of the heel part and behind the heel part. The flaring occurs from the top of the ridge to the lower surface of the heel part. The upper inner surface of the heel part is attached to the footwear upper. The article of footwear may be a shoe, especially a running shoe.

Abstract: An athletic shoe is described having an external heel counter member made of a resilient material, such as rubber or other elastomer for greater stability and comfort. The external heel counter is bonded to the outer surface of both sides of the heel portion of the shoe upper and extends around the heel. A multi-layered shoe sole is provided including a heel wedge layer or other raised heel portion for raising the heel of the foot above the bottom surface of the toes. The shoe sole also employs a midsole layer which extends the entire length of the shoe. In one embodiment the bottom edge of the external heel counter member surrounds the rear portion of the midsole layer and is bonded to the top of the heel wedge layer. In another embodiment the bottom edge of the heel counter member is turned under the heel and is bonded between the shoe upper and the midsole layer.

Abstract: An athletic shoe is described including a shoe upper having a toe section and a main body section joined together and to a sole portion. Preferably the toe section extends forwardly of the metatarsophalangeal joints and is of a stretchable material to permit flexing of toes within the shoe, while the main body portion is of a nonstretchable material to restrict pronation of the rest of the foot. When the shoe is laced, first and second external reinforcing strips on the medial side of the upper, respectively exert pressure on the forward and rearward sides of the ball of the foot to restrict its motion. A third such strip on the other side of such upper limits the motion of the fifth metatarsophalangeal joint and urges the ball of the foot between the first and second strips. The first and third strips also join the toe and main body sections together without these sections overlapping.

Abstract: A running shoe having an outer sole and a midsole. The midsole includes two groups of apertures extending therethrough. The first group of apertures is located in the forefoot portion of the midsole and a second group of apertures is located to the rear of the first group and contiguous with the arch portion of the midsole. The apertures in each group are disposed in an array of transverse rows, with the apertures in the first group being disposed closer to one another than the apertures in the second group.

Abstract: A track shoe is described having a shoe upper and sole made on a straight last, whose last axis bisects the heel and passes through the second metatarsal head of the wearer's foot. The spike plate portion of the sole has a rear pair of spike fasteners which place the two rearmost spikes behind the heads of the overlying first and fifth metatarsal bones. The spike fasteners of such rear pair are centered along a straight line which intersects the last axis at an obtuse angle in the range of about 102.degree. to 115.degree. which is substantially the same as the angle of intersection between such axis and a line between the first and fifth metatarsal heads. A third spike fastener is located behind the head of the third metatarsal bone ahead of the line adjoining the rear pair of spike fasteners. The track shoe is provided with a shoe upper of open mesh nylon fabric.

Abstract: A lightweight athletic shoe, especially a racing shoe, having a very flexible outer sole of wear-resistant material. The heel section of the outer sole is provided with a heel having such a height that the heel section has a considerably higher position with regard to the forward part of the foot than does an athletic shoe which does not have a heel. When the wearer of the athletic shoe places the heel on the ground, the heel procures for the wearer an acceleration component directed in the direction of movement.

Abstract: A shoe for sprinters, middle distance and distance runners incorporating sharp spikes or like traction devices under the toe portion and raised cushion cleats under the heel portion for maintaining the heel in an elevated position for a good running posture and to provide cushioning as well as traction during heel contact. Also, the elevated heel portion reduces excess strain on the Achilles' tendon of the middle distance and long distance runners.

Abstract: A pair of running shoes. Each shoe includes an upper portion having an inner side and an outer side and a sole running the length of the shoe from the heel to the toe between the inner and outer sides of the upper portion. The sole is formed of a resilient material and comprises a wedge portion extending from the heel to a point beyond the arch of the wearer's foot and immediately to the rear of the first metatarsal head of the foot. The wedge portion is canted upward in the transverse direction from the outer side of the shoe to the inner side of the shoe so that during running a substantial portion of the sole makes contact with the ground during each step. The sole is constructed to be thicker at portions adjacent to heel than at portions adjacent to toe and is formed of an outsole, a midsole and an intermediate bevelled section disposed therebetween at the heel. The transverse wedge portion of the sole is formed by the midsole.

Abstract: A foot cushioning device having a body defining a cup-like recess to receive at least the heel or os calcis portion of the foot which is insertable in ordinary footwear. The exterior of the body carries shock absorbing projections extending from at least the rear of the heel portion to the underside of the foot. The projections deform and deflect to protect the foot by absorbing shock forces on the weight bearing portions of the foot. The cushioning device of the present invention may also be adapted to extend substantially along the entire plantar surface of the foot and may be integrally incorporated as a part of footwear.

Abstract: A running shoe has an outer sole surface contoured uninterruptedly from a mid-sole landing zone to a relieved or negative heel at the rear and an upturned toe-off zone at the front to induce a rolling motion along the sole during the running stride. The shoe includes a shoe shell with a relatively incompressible outer sole structure and an internal suspension member compliant to the foot and formed of relatively compressible material formed to conform with the shoe shell.The method of manufacturing the shoe includes the steps of making a positive casting reflecting the weight bearing condition of the runner's foot or feet, and conforming the suspension member to the casting. The method also includes forming the outer shoe shells with curved outer soles and inserting the suspension members to complete the shoes.

Abstract: A new and improved cinch-type closure is provided for athletic footwear. The closure serves the combined functions of securing the athletic footwear in comfort to the wearer's foot, maintaining the primary shoe fastener, i.e., tied laces, tightly intact, and contributing to the overall support of the wearer's arch. Specifically, the cinch-type closure of the invention utilizes a pair of hooked and looped fastening tapes of the "Velcro" type for locking the cooperative cinching elements, namely, a cinching strap and a mating cinch anchor, and these elements are arranged to form an integral part of the improved athletic footwear.

Abstract: An athletic shoe includes a sole having toe, ball, arch and heel sections, corresponding to that of a foot and an upper secured to the sole, which includes two pairs of upwardly-tapered straps secured to the sole on opposite sides of its ball and arch sections, respectively, which provide improved support for the wearer's foot and which permits the accommodation of a relatively wide range of foot sizes. In addition, the shoe includes a unique, removable spike assembly which facilitates quick and easy mounting and removal of the spikes. The shoe is especially adapted for use as a competition track shoe.

Abstract: A cleated outer sole for an athletic shoe is described which includes two pairs of heel and toe cleats of large ground engaging surface area to provide a long wearing sole. These pairs of large cleats are surrounded by smaller gripping cleats of substantially the same height as such larger cleats and all cleats are molded of resilient material integral with the outer sole. The gripping cleats are in the shape of straight sided polygons such as a square or hexagon to provide superior traction and cushioning. The larger cleats are of a different shape and may be triangular, rectangular or other shapes. The pair of heel cleats is provided on opposite sides of the heel portion of the outer sole, while the pair of toe cleats may be provided on opposite sides of the front portion of such sole beneath the heads of the metatarsal bones of the foot. The heel cleat positioned on the inside edge of the shoe functions primarily to provide greater lateral stability to the shoe.

Abstract: An athletic shoe constructed so as to maintain the wearer's heel out of contact with the ground is beneficial both for training and for competitive uses.

Abstract: An improved sole for an athletic shoe comprises artificial turf material such as is commercially available and having a flexible backing from which the artificial turf projects in a common direction. Preferably, the turf is cut into the shape of the sole of a shoe in three sections and is adhered to an inner sole of the shoe by an adhesive so as to form a sole of substantially continuous artificial turf material. The sole is of suitable configuration for use with desired types of athletic shoes and may include baseball, soccer, football, tennis, and the like type of athletic shoes. The shoe is of substantially reduced weight relative to conventional such shoes yet affords greatly improved gripping, whether on natural or artificial turf, with avoidance of ankle and spiking injuries typically encountered with athletic shoes employing spikes and the like.